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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, stated on Thursday that over 1,000 households have been displaced in a series of attacks on communities across the state from December 29 to date.
The governor made this disclosure while hosting officials from the International Organization for Migration and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations at the Government House in Makurdi.
Governor Alia outlined the challenges facing the state in its efforts to provide shelter and support for 500,182 displaced persons spread across 26 camps and 185 host communities.
“The displaced persons are grappling with inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water and sanitation, insufficient healthcare services, and a lack of robust protection mechanisms,” the governor stated.
He expressed concern over the hardships endured by vulnerable groups, saying, “These conditions have led to detrimental coping strategies, including early marriages, transactional activities, and reduced food intake, which disproportionately affect women, children, and persons with disabilities.”
Despite ongoing efforts, Alia lamented the continued attacks, citing data from the Displacement Tracking Matrix that confirmed the displacement of over 1,000 households within the past 11 days.
Highlighting the state’s initiatives, the governor said, “We have enrolled over 6,273 vulnerable individuals from 15 IDP camps into the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring they receive essential healthcare services.
“Additionally, we’ve allocated over 70 hectares of land and facilitated the construction of shelters, restoring dignity to 5,600 displaced households. These achievements have been made possible through partnerships with organisations like IOM and USAID-BHA.”
Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing the root causes of displacement and fostering sustainable solutions.
He also emphasised the importance of promoting social justice and harmonious coexistence between host communities and internally displaced persons.
“Our government will continue to work tirelessly to improve the well-being of displaced persons and build resilience among affected communities,” he said.
